Rural Cancer Death

Abstract

Cancer is a ubiquitous disease, a major cause of morbidity, and a leading cause of death in rural areas. Although mortality rates for cancer differ from region to region, with lower rates for many types of cancer in rural localities, the special space, time, and technological characteristics of rural areas highlight the difficulties involved in cancer therapy, research, and education. There is a shortage of doctors, pharmacists, and dentists in the rural regions of many countries. President Carter has said, “We need to reform our health care system to provide access to regular, high-quality care for our rural citizens at a cost they can afford.”(1)